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INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Program
Description:
As part of its outreach and education role, the Marine Resources
Center (MRC) of the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) has established
an internship program with positions available to college students
and recent college graduates. This is a one-semester program that
can take place during the spring, summer, or fall semester of college.
The program has recently expanded to accommodate recent college
graduates looking for a one-semester, six- month, or one-year program
prior to graduate school. Interns will gain hands-on experience
in aquatic animal care, husbandry, and culture. Qualifying interns
will learn new scientific methods and theory by participating in
research being conducted by one of the MRC's scientists. For detailed
descriptions of current research projects see below.
Examples of current and past research projects include: population
genetic studies using RAPD-PCR and microsatellites; settlement behavior
in clownfish; stock assessments using DNA fingerprinting; mating
systems in zebrafish; molecular analysis of growth factors in aquatic
organisms; analysis and quantification of cephalopod behavior; and
exploring microscopic anatomy of various organ systems in molluscs
and other invertebrates.
To qualify for this internship program, a completed application
and ancillary materials (link above) must be submitted and a personal
interview is required. Applications are accepted on a first-come,
first-served basis for each semester however we strongly recommend
that applications for summer internships be submitted the previous
January. Interns must provide their own housing and transportation
while participating in the program. There is no monetary compensation
for participants in this program; however, the MRC will cooperate
fully with colleges and universities to obtain course credit for
each student if desired.
Interns are expected to participate in the program for 40 hours
per week or as noted in individual project descriptions. Daily duties
to be performed include preparing animals' diets, feeding animals,
maintaining water quality in aquaria and holding tanks, recording
animal health and water quality data in logbooks, and routine cleaning
and upkeep of equipment and husbandry areas. Opportunities exist
for interns to observe and/or participate in laboratory procedures
and animal necropsies, and to learn about the mechanical aspects
of large and small water filtration and sterilization systems.
Detailed descriptions of current research
projects.
Documents are in PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader
to view.
Interns in the MRC Program may:
1) Assist culturing live food sources
Brine shrimp culture:
- Learn methodology for mixing artificial sea salts
- Learn production scheduling for cultured species
- Investigate methods to enhance nutritional value of nauplii
Algae & Rotifer culture:
- Use sterile technique to inoculate cultures
- Learn to quantify and maintain live cultures of rotifers and algae
2) Learn to perform basic water quality tests and manipulate various parameters required to keep aquatic species healthy
- Assist collecting water-quality data to evaluate the health of nitrifying bacteria in both marine and freshwater biofilters
- Conduct replicate experiments on nitrifying bacteria to help commercial manufacturers assess the effectiveness of their product
3) Learn to operate seawater filtration systems
- Calculate ozone dosages for seawater sterilization
- Operate and maintain rapid-rate sandfilters
4) Maintenance of tanks and specimen holding environs
- Learn proper cleaning techniques for tanks and aquaria
- Learn disinfection methods
- Quarantine sick and/or diseased animals
5) Assist MBL investigators and veterinary staff with treatment protocols and necropsy
- Learn dissection techniques
- Learn to administer medications
6) Help MBL investigators collect and collate experimental data
- Conduct video analysis of behavioral experiments
- Learn innovative molecular and biochemical laboratory techniques such as DNA fingerprinting and recombinant protein production.
Housing and Transportation:
Contacts:
Barbara Burbank, Program Administrator
bburbank@mbl.edu
508.289.7700
or
Janice Simmons, Internship Coordinator
jsimmons@mbl.edu
508.289.7458
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